Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Joel Jeschke: Time & Place

Joel Jeschke: Time & Place

By Glenn Astarita
January 5, 2025
View read count

Joel Jeschke

drums
b.1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Jeschke, a versatile Canadian drummer from Edmonton, Alberta, has made a name for himself across multiple genres, from rock to jazz. Having performed and recorded with numerous artists including rock bands like Royal Tusk and Whale and the Wolf as well as modern jazz artists such as

Aretha Tillotson

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Aretha Tillotson and the Stephanie Urquhart Quartet, Jeschke now turns his attention to his debut album as a composer and bandleader, Time & Place. This album proves he is not just another drummer who decided to write some tunes—his compositions merge intricate rhythms with melodies that leave an enduring impression.

The album opens with "Introduction," where Jeschke's commanding tom patterns establish the foundation before flowing into "Koskela," a piece that pianist

Brendan McGrath

piano
b.1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Brendan McGrath steers with skillful direction. Jeschke's drumming balances technical precision with raw spontaneity, providing structure and momentum for the group's sonic explorations. Tillotson looms as the album's traffic cop with limber phrasings while providing a sturdy foundation.

Tracks like "Nuuksio" and the imaginative "The Number Twelve" highlight the band's ability to respect jazz traditions while forging new paths through dynamic shifts in tempo and contemporary improvisation. Guitarist

Brett Hansen

guitar
b.1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Brett Hansen glides effortlessly between muscular rock phrases and sophisticated jazz voicings, creating a sound that connects the past and future. The result is music that expands boundaries while maintaining its artistic core.

Saxophonist

Holly Sangster

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Holly Sangster joins the ensemble on "Aviary" and "Song For When It Rains," contributing fluid melodies that thread through the compositions' measured use of space. Jeschke's writing reveals remarkable restraint, crafting room for each voice while maintaining a bold presence. His drumming functions as both compass and catalyst, steering the music while sparking adventurous exploration. "Mammoth" begins with Hansen's penetrating lines before Jeschke guides the group into its most potent collective improvisation. Time & Place establishes Jeschke as a composer who can successfully merge tradition with innovation, creating music that feels both grounded and progressive.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Introduction; Koskela; Nuuksio; The Number Twelve; Aviary; Mammoth; Experimentations; Song For When It Rains; The Unknown.

Personnel

Joel Jeschke

drums

Holly Sangster

saxophone

Brett Hansen

guitar

Brendan McGrath

piano

Aretha Tillotson

bass, acoustic

Album information

Title: Time & Place | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Released

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Dan Bilawsky's Best Jazz Albums of 2...
< Previous

Variation and Creation: The Story of...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.